The Ray Richards Memorial is named after Newcastle icon and legend, Ray Richards, the Founding President and Patron of Merewether Surfboard Club back in 1964.
Ray was integral to the success of the club as we know it today and is fondly remembered for his dedication and support – mentoring the committee and contributing to the club until his passing in 1989.
Each year, the ‘Man on Man’ event is held to celebrate his aspirations and determination for the club. The event is run as close to a professional contest as possible, while still encouraging everyone to rip in and have a bloody good time – just the way Ray would have liked it!
Ray opened Newy’s first surfboard shop on Hunter Street, iconic for his photos of local surfers on the walls – and epic boards – which saw the space become the unofficial clubhouse – it was the place to be!
Ray was a pioneer of the surfing industry in the early sixties – he could clearly see the future of surfing and encouraged his son Mark to follow his dream of surfing competitively and shaping surfboards.
Ray was known to watch Mark ‘MR’ Richards surf from one of his famous panel or kombi vans. In fact, the perpetual Ray Richards memorial trophy is inspired by the legendary photo snapped by Mark Sutton – with MR and Mick Adam splitting the peak – and Ray proudly watching on from the road.
The ‘Man on man’ event was first run in 1981, inspired by MR’s second ‘Stubbies’ victory. The Stubbies was an annual surf competition that took place in Queensland, which held the first ever two-person heats (hence man on man). Daryl Tonks won the first ‘Man on man’ event. Then, the Merewether Surfboard Club changed the name to the Ray Richards Memorial ‘Man on Man’ in 1991, to honour Ray’s contribution to the Club.
In its 42-year history, there has only been 17 winners, with 7 former winners surfing in the 2023 event. `
Ryan Callinan has won 8 titles, Chad Edser and Mitchell Ross have both won 4 each, and Nick Wood, Craig McMillan and Jackson Baker have won 3 each, Grant McGeachie, Luke Egan, Travis Lynch, Paul Parkes and Jesse Adam have all won 2 events each.
The Ray Richards Finals will be held dependant on conditions on either the 14th or 15th of December.
Keep an eye on TBH and Merewether Surfboards’ socials for the official date! Swing by Merewether Beach to catch all the action at the surf comp, then head to The Beaches for a few celebratory tinnies!
